The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced the India A squad for two crucial four-day matches against Australia A later this month. Ruturaj Gaikwad has been appointed as the captain of the side, with Abhimanyu Easwaran taking on the role of vice-captain. This series serves as a platform for many players to showcase their talents and push for selection in the senior Test squad. Among the notable selections, Ishan Kishan stands out, making a strong return after a tough period in his career.
Ishan Kishan’s journey back: Redemption through domestic cricket
Kishan’s inclusion in the India A squad marks a significant resurgence in his career. After a challenging stint following his Test debut, which led to him losing his central contract, Kishan has fought his way back into contention. His recent century for Jharkhand in the Ranji Trophy, against Railways, was a statement of his regained form and hunger for success. Kishan’s return is seen as a vital boost to the India A squad, and his performances will be closely watched. Alongside him, Abhishek Porel has been named as the second wicketkeeper, adding further depth to the squad’s lineup.
Doors open for emerging pacers
With Mohammed Shami unlikely to be fit for the opening part of the Australia series, the door has opened for India’s emerging fast bowlers to make their mark. The squad features Mukesh Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed, Yash Dayal, Navdeep Saini and Tanush Kotian, who will be eager to impress the selectors. Their performances in the upcoming games will be pivotal as India looks to strengthen its pace department ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT). Additionally, Nitish Reddy, included as an all-rounder, could also make a strong case for his inclusion in the senior side, especially with a good showing in this series.
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Opener’s battle: Compete for Test spots
The contest for a spot in India’s opening pair for the Test series against Australia will see intense competition between Gaikwad, Easwaran and Sai Sudharsan. Gaikwad, who recently captained the India ‘C’ team in the Duleep Trophy 2024, has demonstrated strong leadership skills, even though his side narrowly missed out on the title. Easwaran, known for his consistency with Bengal, brings valuable experience as vice-captain, while Sudharsan’s inclusion adds another dynamic option to the top order. Their performances in these four-day matches will likely play a major role in determining who might partner Rohit Sharma in future Test matches.
Key fixtures leading into Australia series
India A are set to face Australia A in two vital first-class encounters, which will serve as preparation for both squads ahead of the BGT 2024-25. The first match will take place at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay from October 31 to November 3, while the second fixture will be held at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) from November 7 to November 10. Furthermore, India A will participate in a warm-up match against the senior Indian squad, giving them a chance to test their skills against their counterparts. This warm-up game will be held at the WACA in Perth from November 15 to 17, providing valuable match practice before the highly anticipated Australia tour.
India A squad for the tour of Australia
Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Abhimanyu Easwaran (vc), Sai Sudharsan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Devdutt Padikkal, Ricky Bhui, Baba Indrajith, Ishan Kishan (wk), Abishek Porel (wk), Mukesh Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed, Yash Dayal, Navdeep Saini, Manav Suthar, Tanush Kotian
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